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Inland Real Estate has acquired a 116,430-square-foot retail center in Port Charlotte, Fla., for $11.3 million via its joint venture with Inland Real Estate Exchange. It acquired the fully leased shopping center via its line of credit and with cash.

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Westfield has high hopes for its Pitt Street development in Sydney, which is set to debut its new glass plank facade next month. The $1.2 billion mixed-use project includes a seven-level shopping center, a new commercial tower and a rehab of another office building. Westfield plans to keep the retail stores open later to accommodate departing office workers.

Milwaukee-area shopping mall managers are optimistic about the upcoming holiday shopping season after better-than-expected back-to-school sales. At the same time area shopping centers are increasing occupancy rates with new retailers taking space. "We've gotten the first sort of glimmers of hope from August," says Erika Maschmeyer, retail analyst for Robert W. Baird.

A majority of merchants surveyed recently said they plan to either keep holiday hiring levels in line with last year or increase the number of seasonal workers, according to a new survey. Still, optimism is tinged with ongoing caution for some -- several of the 20 large chains reported delaying holiday hiring plans after the summer sales slowdown.

Students taking the Land Economics class at Lawrence Technological University in Southfield, Mich., can expect to be simultaneously entertained and schooled in retail economics via shopping center owner Alfred Taubman, who is giving several lectures this term. His first class was replete with retailing history, insights and such quips as why his retail centers are designed for easy exits. "Getting out is just as important as getting in. That man drives his woman there for shopping on Saturday and he has trouble getting out so he can't see a football game? He'll say, 'Don't you ever bring me back here again!'" Taubman told students.

As Americans scramble to save money amid the struggling economy, retailers are pushing out more gadgets designed to help them preserve their cash. Wal-Mart, The Container Store and other retailers are increasing inventory on items such as caps that keep soda from going flat, soap savers and pants extenders. For Telebrands, the force behind the "As Seen on TV" brand, such items are helping to double its revenue.